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Tree events branch out to city-centric holiday activities

By Katina Caraganis , kcaraganis@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
11/24/2012 06:32:29 AM EST

LEOMINSTER -- Mayor Dean Mazzarella is hoping the annual tree lighting and Festival of Trees event Sunday afternoon will launch a monthlong initiative in which residents stay local to celebrate the holidays and appreciate what the city has to offer.

Mazzarella said the city is planning two tree lightings this season, one Sunday, and a separate lighting during the Winter Stroll, held downtown on Dec. 8.

With the help of other city employees, Mazzarella said an entire month of holiday activities have been planned to encourage residents to spend the holidays celebrating in Leominster.

"Just to watch the eyes of the kids light up during these events is amazing," Mazzarella said.

The tree lighting Sunday at City Hall also kicks off the start of the Festival of Trees, in which local businesses and groups decorate artificial trees with different themes that people can purchase for their own homes.

One tree will also be named the best of the best by a vote of residents, who vote by placing a quarter in a bucket of their corresponding favorite tree. All the money raised through the festival is put back into a fund that pays for various family fun events in the city.

Mazzarella said there will also be a snowman statue made out of Christmas lights that moves along to the beat of music that will be positioned on the West Street side of downtown.

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Mazzarella said he's tried to integrate things like this into the culture of the city since he was first elected 18 years ago, and believes it showcases the strengths of the city.

"It brings people together. We like to try and do things that are affordable for families to come and enjoy together," he said. "We want to try and encourage people to spend the holidays in Leominster, and doing these free events is a great way to do that."

Leominster City Council President John Dombrowski plans to be at the event Sunday and said it always excites him to see good things happening downtown.

"It's always a great event. It's a way to bring the community together, and it's a way to also introduce or reintroduce people in the community to some of the local businesses as well," he said.

The tree lighting will begin at 4:30 p.m., and there will be refreshments and other activities.

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